Cook bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate and refrigerate. Pour half of bacon fat into small bowl; set skillet with remaining bacon fat aside.

Dry beef thoroughly with paper towels. Season beef with salt and pepper; place half of beef in slow cooker. Heat skillet containing remaining bacon fat over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook remaining beef in single layer until deep brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer browned beef to slow cooker.

Add reserved bacon fat to now-empty skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion, carrots, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until vegetables begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and stir until beginning to brown, about 45 seconds. Transfer mixture to slow cooker.

Return now-empty skillet to high heat and add 1 1/2 cups wine, chicken broth, and soy sauce. Simmer, scraping up brown bits, until pan bottom is clean, about 1 minute. Transfer wine mixture to slow cooker

Stir bay leaves and tapioca into slow cooker. Set slow cooker on LOW, cover, and cook until meat is fork-tender, 8- 9 hours.

Meanwhile, about a 1/2 an hour before the stew is done cooking, bring frozen pearl onions, unsalted butter, sugar and water to boil in large skillet over high heat. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high, and cook until liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, and 1/4 tsp. salt and cook until vegetables are browned and glazed, about 5 minutes. Stir the onions and mushrooms into the stew.

Discard bay leaves and stir in reserved bacon. Bring remaining 1 cup wine to boil in large skillet over high heat and simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Stir reduced wine and parsley into stew and adjust seasonings. Serve over buttered egg noodles. Bon Appetit!

Cook's Note: Make sure to use the LOW setting on your slow cooker; the stew will burn on the HIGH setting.